Your router's IP address is printed on a sticker on the device itself, or you can find it through your computer's network settings in under a minute

Every router has an IP address — a number that identifies it on your home network. You need this address to log into your router's settings, change your WiFi password, or troubleshoot connection problems. The fastest way to find it is to look at the physical router. If that's not practical, Windows, Mac, and Linux all let you pull the address from your network settings without any special tools.

The address you're looking for is usually something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — these are the most common defaults. Some routers use 10.0.0.1 instead. Once you have it, you type it into your web browser's address bar just like a website URL, and it takes you to your router's login page.

Key Takeaways

  • The router's IP address is almost always printed on a label stuck to the bottom or back of the device.
  • On Windows, you can find it by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for "Default Gateway" in the results.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, select your WiFi connection, and look for "Router" in the details.
  • Once you have the address, type it into your browser's address bar to reach your router's login page.

Check the physical router first

The easiest place to find your router's IP address is on the router itself. Flip the device over or look at the back panel — there's usually a white or silver sticker with network information printed on it. Look for a line that says "Default Gateway" or just lists an IP address. You'll also see the default username and password on this same sticker, which you'll need if you've never logged in before.

If the sticker is worn off or missing, or if you can't physically access the router, move to the next method. But if the sticker is readable, this is your fastest option — no waiting for your computer to load anything.

Find it on Windows using Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. A black window will open. Type ipconfig and press Enter. You'll see a list of network information.

Look for the section labeled "Wireless LAN adapter WiFi" (or "Ethernet adapter" if you're plugged in with a cable). In that section, find the line that says "Default Gateway" — the number next to it is your router's IP address. It's usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Write it down or copy it, then close Command Prompt.

Find it on Mac using System Settings

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network in the sidebar. Select the WiFi network you're connected to, then click Details or Advanced.

Look for a line labeled Router — the IP address next to it is what you need. On some Mac versions, this information appears under the "TCP/IP" tab. If you don't see it in the main window, try clicking the TCP/IP button at the top of the settings panel.

Find it on Linux using the terminal

Open a terminal window. Type ip route and press Enter. The output will show your network routes. Look for a line that starts with "default via" — the IP address that follows is your router's address.

If that command doesn't work, try route -n instead. Look for the line with "0.0.0.0" in the Destination column — the address in the Gateway column is your router's IP.

What to do once you have the address

Open any web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar at the top, just as you would type a website URL. Press Enter. Your browser will load your router's login page.

You'll be asked for a username and password. If you've never changed these, they're printed on the sticker you found earlier — usually "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and the router's serial number. If you've changed them before and forgotten them, you'll need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases your WiFi password and all custom settings. Most routers have a small reset button you hold down for 10 seconds while the device is powered on.

Troubleshooting if you can't find the address

If the sticker is completely illegible and the command prompt method doesn't show a Default Gateway, your computer may not be connected to the router's network. Check that you're connected to your WiFi network — look at your WiFi icon in the system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) and make sure it shows a connection.

If you're connected but still see no Default Gateway, try restarting your computer and running the command again. If the router itself isn't responding, try unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully restart before trying again.

As a last resort, contact your internet service provider — they have records of what router model you have and can tell you the default IP address for that model. You can also look up your router's model number (usually on the sticker) and search "[model number] default IP address" online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the router's IP address the same as my internet IP address?

No. Your router's IP address is a private number that only works inside your home network. Your internet IP address is assigned by your service provider and is visible to websites you visit. You can find your internet IP by searching "what is my IP" in any search engine.

Will I damage the router if I log into it?

No. Logging in and viewing settings is safe. Changing settings like your WiFi password is also safe. Only be cautious if you're changing advanced settings you don't understand — if something goes wrong, you can always reset the router to factory defaults.

What if my router uses a different IP address than 192.168.1.1?

Some routers use 192.168.0.1, 10.0.0.1, or other addresses. The command prompt or Mac settings method will show you the exact address your router is using. The sticker on the device will also list it. Once you know the correct address, the login process is the same.

Can someone else find my router's IP address?

Yes, but only if they're already connected to your WiFi network or on your local network. The IP address itself isn't secret — it's how devices on your network find the router. What matters is protecting your router's login password so others can't change your settings.